A Report on the Availability of Group Homes for Persons with Mental Retardation in the United States.

A telephone survey of each state's mental retardation/developmental disabilities agency was conducted to determine the national availability of group home type community residential programs. Results revealed a large group home population--at least 68,000 noninstitutional beds (including specially licensed family care and independent apartments) specifically for people with mental retardation. Data compared with 1977 findings revealed a growth rate of 183 percent in the number of group homes for persons with retardation. Projections for future needs of an additional 55,000 beds to meet the out of home group living needs of persons with mental retardation were made. Listings of contact persons in each state and the District of Columbia were compiled and presented in two appendixes. (CL)